iSCSI SAN/NAS SOLUTION FOR ESXi SERVER (Tutorial No 5)

Sorry! for late posting due to heavy work load. Today we are going to arrange a shared storage solution for our lab.  However it is good idea to use Linux appliances as a SAN/NAS solution.  Openfiler and FreeNAS are very popular free operating systems that provides file-based network-attached storage and block-based storage area network.

In vSphere infrastructure we need shared/SAN/NAS storage to perform advance vSphere functions like:

• vMotion
• svMotion
• VMHA
• FT
• DRS
• DPM

So, we are going to use Openfiler as iSCSI shared storage.  In this case we need a dedicated server/virtual machine.  First of all download the latest OpenFiler’s ISO/Virtual Appliance from

http://www.openfiler.com/community/download/

In my lab I have created a VM for installation of OpenFiler with following configurations:

RAM 512 GB

Hard Disk 1 : 20 GB (For OpenFiler OS)

Hard Disk2: 100 GB (Secondary disk for iSCSI Target  Purpose)

Installation of OpenFiler (Step 1)

After Booting from CD, This is the screen where we have to press Enter to Install OpenFiler OS.

Setup is Starting.

Select Keyboard Layout according to your needs.

This Warning gives us Hard Disk Initialization Warning. Press Yes as we have no data/OS on this new HDD.

I am using default partitioning scheme here.

Data loss warning Press Yes here to continue.

At this time I am using default DHCP option, we will configure the Network Option Lateron.

Select appropriate Time Zone.

Select Root User Password. However we will access this box with another built in account (openfiler) with default password is (password).

Final Click to Install.

Installation is now in progress. It will take about 7 to 8 Minutes to complete.

Now the OS has been installed. Click on Reboot.

Great! now we have completed first step of installation. Now its time to configure the Open Filer for our vSphere Lab Scenario.

Configuration of Open Filer (Step 2)

Main points of the configurations:

1. Configure the Static IP for Open Filer.

2. Configure the NTP.

3. Create partition and volume.

4. Create iSCSI file system.

5. Allow the network.

6. Enable & Start  iSCSI Target Service.

7. Add the IQN.

8. Map the LUN.

After rebooting the machine, We have a IP from DHCP Server. Now access the machine from any web browser followed by SSL Port No.

Default credentials of Open Filer are ID (openfiler) Pass (password). Root account also works.

After login you would see the system summary like this.

First of all we need to give the static IP so go to system tab, then select configure from the bottom of the page.

Select the static and click on continue

Give the static IP whatever you want. When you will save the settings you will loss your connection and would need to re connect with your new IP. :-p

Now its time to give the host name to this storage machine and DNS Server’s IP.

If you want to access the page by its host name then give the static entry to your DNS manually. (Optional Step)

Configure NTP Setting according to setup/location.

Now go to volumes to create physical volume for our iSCSI Target.

Now click on /dev/sdb.

Click on create.

Volume has been created click on add volume to the group.

Give group name as you want and click on add group

To create file system on newly created vol, click shares then create new file system.

Give the name, description, size and type of file system. We are creating iSCSI Target so we will use iSCSI Block.

File system for volume has been created.

We need to add our Network Access Configuration. Select appropriate configuration in system tab.

Enable the iSCSI Target service and Start it.

To configure iSCSI Target, go to volumes then iSCSI target. Here now we have IQN, add it.

In LUN Mapping, map the available LUN.

Allow your Network to discover the target.

We have completed our configuration of Open Filer, main points of  adding the storage (iSCSI) to ESXi  Server are:

1. Add a software iSCSI adaptor.

2. Configure the new iSCSI adaptor to use dynamic discovery & enter the IP/Host name of the Open Filer Server.

3. Perform re-scan.

4.Add storage.

First of all we need to add the iSCSI adapter in our network adapters list. Go to configuration of ESXi Server, then Network adapters. Here click on add new adapter. A pop windows will confirm the installation click on yes.

Now you can see we have hba33 ISCSI adapter.

Go to properties of the adapter to configure.

Here in this window, go to dynamic discovery. Add the host (OpenFiler) IP then click OK.

We have added the IP of our host where we have iSCSI target.

When you close the properties window a popup will ask about to scan, click yes.

Great!, Adapter has discovered and mounted the iSCSI target.

Now it is time to add the mounted iSCSI storage in our datastores. Go to storage option then click on add storage

Wizard will as about type of storage. Select DISK/LUN.

Wizard is confirming the mounted LUN.

Select the file system.

Wizard is showing disk layout. Click next to proceed further options.

Give the datastore name.

I am selecting the maximum space.

Wizard is showing final layout and configurations Click on finish.

Great! now we have iSCSI storage in our datastore.

Howto add FTP server in ESXi 5.x to support Fast Download/Upload of VM / Images

Reblogged from Syed Jahanzaib Personnel Blog to Share Knowledge !:

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Yesterday I was trying to upload a 450GB VMDK file to ESXi host. (Actually it was VHD file and I converted it to VMDK using starwind converter), and it was uploading dead slow and showed countless hours to complete the upload.  After some googling I found that generally it takes too much time to Upload/Download any VM/ISO File FROM/TO ESXi host.

Read more… 312 more words

How to Mount Windows Folder into vSphere as NFS Share (vSphere Tutorial 4)

While playing with virtual machines/virtual environments, ISO images of different operating systems and applications are required.  Which can directly be attach from host machines to VMs with the help of VMWare Workstation and vSphere Client.  However, it is good idea to have ISO images into ESXi host.  So today I am going to mount a Windows based folder (carrying ISO images) into ESXi host.  I am using Windows 2008 Server here for this scenario.  If you are interested to use Windows 7, then this link will describe best to you:

http://www.sysprobs.com/configure-set-nfs-share-windows-7-ready-storage-vmware-esx

Requirement

Windows 2008 Server (with File Services role installed)

Configuration Steps

This is ISO folder, which I am going to share as NFS share.

Right Click on ISO folder, go to properties then NFS tab. Click on Manage NFS sharing.

 

First check the share box. Then click on permissions.

I am going to give full Read/Write permissions here.

Sharing work is completed.  Now access the vSphere using vSphere Client.

Access ESXi Server through vSphere Client, Select the host where you want NFS folder, Select configuration tab of the host then Storage options. Here we are going to add new storage.

Wizard will start. Select NFS as we are going to add the NFS Sharing.

Give the Server IP, where you have shared folder and its name. In the end give the datastore name whatever you want.

Wizard has been completed. Click finish.

Great we have successfully add the NFS share as datastore to this host.

To check the contents of the folder of ISO, browse the datastore by right clicking on it.

 

Really Great, I have all my ISO images in this ESXi host.

 

 

 

Installation of vCenter Server (vSphere 5 Tutorial No 3)

It is tutorial no 3 for the VSphere Lab and time for vCenter now.  I will provide a walk through of vCenter Server installation.  Before going to install the vCentre lets discuss what is vCenter Server?

VMware vCenter Server is centralized management application and framework that serves as a proxy for managing ESXi hosts an their virtual machines

vCenter Server performs the following three key functions:

• Visibility. vCenter Server allows you to configure ESX servers and VMs, as well as monitor performance throughout the entire infrastructure, using events and alerts. The objects in the virtual infrastructure can be securely managed with roles and permissions.

• Scalability. The visibility found in vCenter Server is scalable across hundreds of ESX servers and thousands of VMs. Using Linked Mode, you can also manage multiple vCenter servers within the same vSphere client

• Automation. vCenter Server alerts can trigger actions. The Orchestrator feature in vCenter Server Standard allows you to automate hundreds of actions.

vCenter is a requirement for enterprise features,  such as VMotion, Storage VMotion, Distributed Resource Scheduler, VMware High Availability and Fault Tolerance.

VMware vCenter Server comes in two versions: Standard and Foundation. The Foundation edition is designed for small and medium-sized businesses that run up to three ESX servers. The Standard version, on the other hand, is for large-scale vCenter Server deployments.

I think its quite enough overview of vCenter Server, if you people want more I have placed links against their important terms to know more about them.  We will use the vCenter’s Standard version with evaluation period for our test lab.  Hmm, What are the requirements of vCenter? or It should be virtual or on physical machine?

Physical or Virtual?

• vCenter Server can be physical or Virtual.
• Physical requires a dedicated machine.
• Physical is not at risk of vSphere outages.
• Virtual can be backed with other VMs.
• Virtual does not waste an entire server on VC.
• Virtual can participate in HA/vMotioned.
• Virtual is at risk of vSphere outages.

vCenter Server Pre-installation/HW & SW Requirements

• vCenter needs to be part of a domain but should not be domain controller:p.
• Account under you have installing should be member of admin group.
• CPU with 64 Bit and at least 2 GHz or better.
• 4 GB (We will bypass this :p because we have all lab on one laptop:-(
• 4 GB of stroage more if  DB installed.
• NIC card with 1 GB or better
• Windows Server 2003 Std, Ent or Datacenter 64 bit with SP2.
• Windows Server 2003 R2 Std, Ent or Datacenter 64 bit with SP1
• Windows Server 2008 Std, Ent or Datacenter 64 bit with SP2
• Windows Server 2008 R2  Std, Ent or Datacenter 64 bit with SP2
• Microsoft .Net 3.5 Framework.
• Microsoft Windows Installer 4.5 for DB

Download 60 days evaluation version from www.vmware.com/tryvmware

Now back to our lab, where we are installing vCenter Server in VM.  Our scenario is….

Our VMLab Scenario…

What I have did so far, I have create a new VM under VMWare Workstaion 8 and install:

• Fresh Microsoft Window Server 2008 R2
• VMWare Tools.
• Setup the initial IP configuration to reach ADDC.

Lets start our walk through  from joining the vCenter Server to the domain…

Our VMLab Scenario…

First of all Join the vCenter Server machine to the Domain.

Joined successfully.

Insert the CD/DVD or ISO image to VM.

Click on Install to run the setup of vCenter Server.

Click Next.

Click Next.

Click Next.

Give appropriate user name and Organization Name. Click on Next with blank license to use evaluation period of vCenter Server.

We don’t have DB server elsewhere so we have to install Microsoft DB Express instance. Select the installation of DB instance and Next.

Click Next to use default administrator group as DB admin.

Leave default folder setting as they are. Click Next.

Select Standalone Server and Click Next.

These are the ports on which vCenter maintains services between hosts. Leave default as we are in testing mode. Click Next.

These ports are used for inventory services and to communicate with other vCenter servers (if available). Click Next

We are selecting lowest inventory option here because we don’t have large inventory. Click Next.

Click Install to begin the installation. Ignore the check box here, because we don’t large no of VMs.

Installation has been started.

First of all SQL instance is going to be install.

We have now complete the installation of vCenter Server. vSphere client is required to connect the vCenter Server. In our lab we will use the same vSphere Client which is installed on Host OS (Windows-7) to connect this server. 3rd tutorial is now over, we will use the vCenter Server to manage our hosts and for important features of vSphere like, vMotion, HA, DRS etc, in upcoming tutorials.

How to Create A Virtual Machine in ESXi 5 Server Using vSphere Client (Tutorial No 2)

We have install ESXi server in VMWare Workstation in last tutorial.  To access the ESXi Server, we need a client namely vSphere Client. vSphere Client is a Windows application that you can use to configure the host and to operate its virtual machines. You can download vSphere Client from any ESXi host.

Prerequisites

• You must have the URL of the host, which is the IP address or host name.
• The system must have an Internet connection.

Procedure

• From a Windows machine, open a Web browser.
• Enter the URL or IP address for the host.
• For example, we have install ESXi Server and going to download the client form it. http://10.10.10.99 or if DNS is up and resolving http://esx2.vmlab.shery.
• Click Download the vSphere Client under Getting Started.
• Click Save to download the vSphere Client installer.
• Install the vSphere Client.

So here in today’s walk through we will:

1.   Install the vSphere Client.

2.  Create the Virtual Machine in ESXi Host using vSphere Client.

3.  Install the Role of AD & DC for VMLab Scenario.

Lets Start;-)

Access the Host Machine by typing IP address, after ignoring certificate warning you will see page like this download vSphere Client from here. (Active internet connection is required)

Setup is downloaded, Run setup.

Setup is extracting files to install the VSphere…

Click Next.

Click Next.

Accept license agreement. Click Next.

Type appropriate name and organization. Click Next.

Setup is installing vSphere Client now.

Installation complete. Click Finish.

Run the vSphere Client from Desktop Icon and access the Host by typing IP address followed by User Name & Password. Click log in.

This is evaluation warning don’t worry.:p

Inventory has been loaded. Now we are going create a virtual machine for our Domain Controller which is required for our next tutorials and vSphere Infrastructure. Right click on host select create new virtual machine.

At this movement we are selecting typical setup.

Give the name.

Wizard is asking for storage where you want to save VM. At this stage we have only local disk of host, so select that.

Select the Operating System. As I have mentioned in last tutorial we cannot create a 64 Bit OS VM in Virtual Lab, therefor I have select 32 Bit Windows 2008 Server to install DC role.

Select Network Interface Card.

Select the Hard Disk size and type. I am using thin type because we are doing testing lab. Thin will act as dynamic type disks of VMWare workstations. However other disk types have fault tolerance functions, which are really good in production environments.

Wizard is Completed now. Showing summary of VM.

Have you noticed that creation under typical option did not ask the RAM size because when you select the OS from OS selection option ESXi automatically allots the required RAM to the VM which you can edit by checking up this editing option at the end of summary window.

It is the last and final step of this tutorial in which we will install the role of DC. I have skip the Installation of WIndows 2008 Server 32 Bit and VMWare Tools in newly created VM. So please follow the normal installing procedure for them. Now here go to Server Roles and Click on Add roles.

Select the Active Directory Domain Services Click Next.

This window is showing that this wizard will install required features of AD. You will have to install AD by running DCPROMO.EXE command letter on. Click Install.

Installing pre required features of AD.

Now its time to run DCPROMO.EXE.

Start the wizard by clicking Next.

Click Next.

We are going to make new forest for our VMLab. Select New and Click Next.

Give FQDN.

Selection of domain level functionality.

Yes! We want DNS role.

Simply next;-)

Give active directory password.

Export if you want, or Click Next.

Thats great, installation of AD is now started.

Reboot the VM and log in with DC’s admin user.

Both the roles of AD and DC are successfully installed.

It’s good time add the innocent ESXi host into DNS. Give the manual entry like above. What we have done so far? Yup, We have up ESXi Box and Our Lab’s DC. Thanx for watching see you in next tutorial;-)

Note: After creating VM it is necessary to install VM Tools in virtual machine, which will install all the essential drivers.  The process of installing VM Tools are very easy, just clicking on Guest option available  on the menu of VM Console can enable you to put VM Tools’s ISO into the box.